Tom Howe QC accepts appointment as LEADR Fellow 

LEADR is proud to announce that Tom Howe QC, Chief Counsel, Dispute Resolution at the Australian Government Solicitor (where he has been employed for the past 24 years), has accepted the invitation of the Board to be the LEADR Fellow for 2011−2012.

LEADR Chair, Margaret Halsmith said “Tom Howe is a highly respected lawyer who has a keen appreciation of ADR particularly in government. He has a simultaneously sophisticated and practical approach to the analysis of the various intersections of the rights based and interests based approaches to justice.”

“Tom is a great advocate for ADR. He speaks with equal fluency, enthusiasm and persuasiveness the languages of both ADR and the law. He is a wonderful example of a very highly regarded lawyer who embraces ADR: advocating for and being constructive in ADR, while retaining his legal identity.”

Through his membership of NADRAC, of the Federal Litigation Section of the Law Council, and of the Council of the ACT Bar Association, and in his work directly with Commonwealth government departments, Tom continues to contribute to the delivery of a principled and cohesive litigation service to the Commonwealth.

In his role as LEADR Fellow, Tom, like previous LEADR Fellows, will be an ambassador for LEADR within the Chapter network and with the public. In addition, as LEADR Fellow, Tom will continue to promote ADR within the federal government and federal civil justice system.

In accepting the role of LEADR Fellow, Tom Howe said “I feel very honoured by the invitation to take on this role, and hope I  can bring something worthwhile to the table.

"I have greatly enjoyed working on ADR-related issues, particularly in my role as a member of NADRAC. I look forward to the opportunity to further promote ADR as a fascinating, dynamic and viable alternative to conventional litigation."

Outgoing Fellow, Geoff Sharp, acknowledged

The LEADR Board thanks the innovative and dynamic mediator Geoff Sharp, for his energy and commitment to the role of LEADR Fellow over the past two years.

In thanking the outgoing Fellow, Margaret said: “Geoff is a mindful practitioner who brings insights to his practice and shares insights with the world community of practitioners.”

As Fellow, Geoff was a key speaker at ‘kon gres 2009, and presented at LEADR Chapter events throughout Australia and New Zealand.  As well, Geoff, as a leading New Zealand commercial mediator and barrister with a strong international profile, wore the LEADR badge with pride in local and international forums, raising LEADR’s visibility both within the ADR and broader communities.

Geoff describing his experience as LEADR Fellow said: “It has been a privilege to be the LEADR Fellow. I have really appreciated being welcomed by Chapters and meeting practitioners working in such diverse areas of ADR. I have been inspired by the commitment and professionalism of my colleagues throughout Australia and New Zealand.  I look forward to continuing to be part of this vibrant LEADR community."